Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-08-12
THE PANHANDLE.
A Letter from Hon. J. n. Browning 10
Governor Ross on the Land Policy
Of the Sfate-Ignorance Of the
State Agents.
How the Future Prospects of Northwsst
Texas Are Threatened by the Lease Sys-
tenn and False Classification.

~-N~SS'A'''tNSNSA'
MOBEETIE, Ten, Aug. 3.-Representa-
tive ]. n. Browning addressed to-day the
following letter to Governor Ross:
Governor L. S. Ross, Austin, Tex.
Dear Sir: Being citizen OF Texas and
DESTROYS of seeing its material resources
developed TO theiI utmost capacity st the
earliest practicable moment, thus making
il what God end nature has destined 1t
should be-the Empire State OF the Union
I hope that you will not consider it i'm
pertinent in me to csll your attention 10
matter Of state policy OF momentum.
importance 10 the people of the Pam
handle. From tbs earliest settlement of
this part of the state there has been some
sort of indefinite land policy which has
ever impeded rather than advanced the
settlement, progress and development
of the Panhardle. For several wears
before your election to the governor
ship it seemed that the ears Of
the legislative and. executive powers OF
the state were deaf 10 our entreaties for
Il reasonable state policy, dispCsin% Of
the school lands IN g manner to eucOUr-
age settlers 10 come into the country.
Ia your nomination and election TO the
office Of chief executive Of the state the
anxiety CT the people for q time ceased
because OF their great confidence in your
wisdom, integrity aud love Of our COM
mon country. They well remembered
your Sulphur Springs speech on SIay s.,
1856, in which you made use Of the fol
lowing language: "It IS no longer g
question that good policy requires that
these lands shall be so distributed SIS TO
secure the greatest possible number Of
GCtusl settlers. Any legislation that will
produce this result should be adhered to.
Every lew now in force or hereafter t9 be
enacted should be submitted 20 this lest:
VIII it promote settlement? This hiss
been the settled policy of the state since
its annexation. II is founded in sn en-
lightened public policy, rendered neCcs-
sGry by the enterprise of our citizens. We
should build the interests OF our state TO
last, and not become impatient at the
slow but steady operation Of wise laws
that contributed so largely in times past
10 its growth ana greatness. TIE true
policy is to bring these lands into market
and by al legitimate means dispose OF
them as speedily as possible to those who
have been induced to settle in this new
section. The interests of the state and
the school fund alike demand it. The
strongest political and economical con-
siderations dictate this course"
Further en- il the same speech, in iol-
loving up the same thought, you wisely
said: "These lands would yield in 81 in
dependent class Of small freehold
rrla IT
country, as well IS its
created by the extension Of civilization
and in the enlargement Of the domain OF
law and order-returDs in the utilization
by such as will use them il opening W
the highways OF travel. and by securing
private independence add TO tee general
prosperity"
These utterances, coming as they cid
from you whom the people loved &nd de-
lighted in honoring, were sufficient
guaranty OF your intention to see that 8
policy YES adopted and executed LOOKING
to this end. This same principle you en-
/ phasized IN your inaugural address g:
follows: "The ownership OF land is no
only an element of great political power
out no class Of people can make any very
/ apprecisbie advance in civilization with
out it's possession. There is but little K
/ produce patriotism or pride OF country il
people who are all tenants at will-tns
! soil they tend belonging to others, and o.
which they may be deprived OF at plea
sure, aud even their labor worthless with
out the patronage Of the strong. Govern
ment should, therefore, feel itself con-
J stsntly bound to administer it's public
lands with seduloUs care in order tba
the greatest number OF its people may Sc
cure homes at nominal cost with sacur
| ity title. The celebrated Ell.
mund Burke, in recommending that tn,
! forest lands OF the British crown shoulC
| be brought into market and converted in
to private property at a moderate price
laid down the following just and profoun(
maXims of political economy: The prin
cipal revenue which 1 propose t;
draw from these uncultivated wastes is t
spring from the Improvement ana pOpu
lation of the kingdom, events min
itely more advantageous 10 th
crown than the rents of the hes
landed estates which it can hold.
would throw them into the mass Q
private property 6y which they Will com
through the course of circula
:ion, and through the politics
secretions OF the state, into Gwel
regulated revenue The history of tb
landed system Of the United States fur
nishes the most convincing proof OF tn
value Of this policy"
You affirmed your faith in this polio
by the follo1ing in your message to To
Legislature: ''The declaration c
principles and policies sanctioned by III
people 81 the recent election, demands {
those charged with the making and Ii
execution Of the laws, that these lands D
sold to actual settlers" The people {
CHce recognized Ia you leader worth
OF their love sid confidence. The evidenc
Of your convictions was too cor
: vincing 10 be doubted, and they wer
I ready TO follow wherever you dared +
Iced. The peoples representatives
the Legislature saw the wisdom Of you
suggestions and enacted law intende
: TO carry out your proposed policy.
majority Of the members OF that DO :
when the bill came up accepted On
heartily supported it upon being informe
that your excellency favored the mea
t ure, and your prompt approval Of the az
: abundantlY satisfied Us that you &C
copied it as the proper law, As soon 6
the public was Informed of these things
peaceful calmress at once peTvaded Il
country, every one believing that GOO
would come Of it, This act did not tai
effect until July 4, But By the provision
J Of the eighth section persons coul
, settle on the land and purcnas
the camo after classification, without II
gard to the value of their Improvement